Chapter 45: The Portuguese Superstar / Legendary Treasure Chest

[At 37 years of age, you started for the second time in an official Eredivisie match, scoring 2 goals while helping the team launch a magnificent counter-attack. Though you did not receive an official assist credit for being the third-to-last player to touch the ball, you concealed your disappointment, because at 37, you were the sole backbone of the team.]

[Portuguese Superstar Chest → Portuguese Superstar/Legend Chest: 90% chance to acquire a superstar-tier skill, 10% chance to acquire a legendary player skill]

A Legend Chest!

Upon hearing the post-match settlement from the system, Tang Ye's eyes lit up.

Two goals, alongside creating a clear-cut chance that led to a teammate's goal—this was an achievement Tang Ye had accomplished for the first time in his professional career, successfully triggering the system's bonus reward.

A 10% chance to unlock a Legend Chest!

Looking at the [Use] button beneath the chest, Tang Ye did not rush.

Opening chests required caution; Tang Ye decided to finish today's post-match interview first.

This was Tang Ye's first time conducting a pitch-side interview. The journalist assigned to him was a blonde female reporter, seemingly in her early thirties.

"Tang, two goals, at the tender age of 16, congratulations!"

The female reporter greeted Tang Ye with a smile as he walked up to the advertising boards.

Praising him right off the bat left Tang Ye feeling rather embarrassed. He simply rubbed his face and remained silent.

Young players of this age were inevitably somewhat shy, though Tang Ye's composure actually ranked him among the better ones.

"You started and scored two goals in your previous match, and you started and scored another two goals today. Utrecht fans are praising you as the future of the club. What do you think?"

The future of the club?

Tang Ye took a half-step back: "Oh, I'm very grateful for the fans' trust, but it's still far too early to say that. My coach told me during training that my talent is actually just average compared to the rest of the Eredivisie. I really don't want the fans to hold too many expectations for me."

The reason he didn't want the fans to hold high expectations was that Tang Ye preferred to avoid that kind of pressure.

That kind of pressure could cause sleepless nights!

Tang Ye's peculiar mindset caught the reporter's attention, but her focus was instantly hijacked by his earlier remark.

"Tang, do you mean that your coach thinks your talent is poor?"

"Yeah, exactly. I'm well aware of it myself."

Tang Ye nodded: "I used to think talent was extremely important for a football player, but my perspective has changed now."

"Could you elaborate on that?"

"Well, of course. I'm living proof. Two months ago, my football skills were still quite poor, but after two months of extra training sessions, my skills have grown rapidly."

Speaking of extra training, Tang Ye instantly shook off any drowsiness: "You know what? Every night I train until nine-thirty, and sometimes even until ten."

The female reporter frowned: "Extra training? Were you forced into it?"

"Nonono, voluntary, entirely voluntary of course."

Tang Ye explained: "The coach didn't require me to do that, but I chose to set my own schedule. That's the reason I can stand right here today."

"Goodness!"

A sudden realization dawned on the female reporter.

There are no natural prodigies!

There is only silent, relentless hard work behind the scenes!

The look in the female reporter's eyes shifted from curiosity to deep admiration.

"Okay, last question."

The female reporter pulled a small slip of paper from her pocket: "Tang, news reports say you've already returned to the first-team dining hall. Is that true?"

Tang Ye nodded, after which the female reporter announced she wanted to pop a few questions regarding the Utrecht first-team dining hall.

"Ask away."

Tang Ye shrugged nonchalantly.

Wasn't she just trying to get him to prove he had indeed returned to the first-team dining hall?

Ever since Ten Hag was investigated by the FA and the Youth Protection Association, Tang Ye had been dining at the first-team canteen for at least half a month now.

What could possibly be in the first-team cafeteria that he didn't know?

"Alright, question the first: How many chefs are there in total in the Utrecht first-team canteen?"

!!!

……

"Damn it, you're making things terribly difficult for me!"

In the locker room, Ten Hag shoved Tang Ye into a corner: "Asshole, the FA is definitely going to come back to our training ground to investigate, and don't get me started on that damn Youth Protection Association. What the hell does this have to do with them anyway?"

"Because Tang is only 16. Even as a foreign national, he is protected by youth welfare laws,"

Van der Gaag reminded him.

"Then why on earth didn't you answer the reporter's question?"

Ten Hag spread his hands toward Tang Ye.

To Tang Ye, it had simply been casual banter with a journalist.

But for Ten Hag, not only did he have to submit reports to the FA, but he also had to submit to the ongoing supervision of the Dutch Youth Protection Association.

"I couldn't help it. They asked me how many chefs were in the kitchen. What was I supposed to do, eat the chefs?"

"..."

Ten Hag buried his face in his hands: "You are far too naive. Next time you encounter something like this, you can just refuse to answer. It saves a world of trouble."

So he could have done that!

Chewing his gum, Tang Ye hadn't realized such a maneuver was possible.

However, his interview had indeed caused trouble for head coach Ten Hag, which made Tang Ye feel his excessive talking hadn't been in vain.

That wretched Ten Hag richly deserved to be kept under strict surveillance by the Youth Protection Association!

……

*De Utrechtse Avondpost* Front Page Headline: Royal Dutch Football Association officials hope to obtain surveillance footage from the first-team dining hall to prove that Ten Hag did not mistreat youth academy players, but the Utrecht management refused to provide the footage, deeming it "inappropriate."

Dongqiudi: Back-to-back braces! Overseas youngster Tang Ye delivers a god-tier performance to help his parent club advance to the next round of the KNVB Cup. Is China about to welcome a top-tier attacking midfielder?

After the match, the team bus ferried the players back to the training ground, and Ten Hag immediately dismissed them to rest at home.

Since today was Sunday, Tang Ye didn't need to stay behind for extra training and headed straight back to his dormitory.

"Hey, Tang, up for a game of FIFA?"

At the stairwell, he ran into Xhaka, who was looking for an opponent to game with, but Tang Ye directly raised a hand in refusal.

He had a very important task tonight.

Opening the chest!

Back in his dorm, Tang Ye, having already showered, washed his face once more and meticulously scrubbed his hands with liquid soap.

He sat down at his computer desk.

[Do you wish to open the Portuguese Superstar/Legend Chest?]

Hiss—

Whew...

Tang Ye regulated his breathing to calm his emotions.

It had been a long time since he felt this nervous!

Understandably so—this was a Legend Chest!

And a Portuguese Legend Chest, no less!

Bang!

The chest unlocked, revealing clues step-by-step much like the *FIFA* games he played.

1. Portuguese nationality
2. Club/National team captain
3. 15+ league goals in a single season
4. Product of Sporting CP

!!!

The clues didn't explicitly state whether this was a Superstar Chest or a Legend Chest, but Tang Ye already had a strong suspicion.

A Sporting CP product, peak market value exceeding 70 million Euros (the threshold for the Superstar Chest), plus a super-striker capable of netting 15+ goals in a single campaign.

Holy crap!

Tang Ye was currently beyond ecstatic.

Because he had a premonition that he was about to acquire world-class shooting skills!

Hiss—

Taking a deep breath, Tang Ye began to worry even before obtaining the skill.

How could a midfielder suddenly possessing top-tier shooting prowess be explained?

No matter, when the time came, he'd just claim it was pure luck!

The chest opened fully, and the red player portrait gradually grew clear.

Tang Ye clenched his fists tightly.

Come on!

Stop hiding, Cristiano, just pop right out!

[You have acquired Bruno Fernandes' First Touch Module (Superstar-Tier)]

Huh?

……